(Listed in alphabetical order)
Joyce Bruce-Elder
I was born in Bridge of Allan and brought up in Clackmannan. I attended Clackmannan Primary alongside my two younger sisters and two brothers.
I trained as a nurse at Stirling Royal Infirmary … happy days! I always wanted to be a nurse ever since I could speak … according to my mum.
I moved to Aberdeen to nurse but was never really happy there. I had prepared to go back to Stirling when I met John and never left! We married in Alloa West Church in 1975. The photograph in the local “Squeak” read “Inverurie Loon marries Alloa Girl”! I was always introduced and known within the area as the “wife of Johnny Bruce fae the shoe shop”! (Often still am!).
We have been retired for 7 years. Our son, Steven, now has the shop along with his wife, Dale. Our daughter Lorna also worked alongside us but now she and her husband Steven have The Kintore Trophy Centre. We have 4 grandchildren, all having been involved with St Andrew’s. Steven and Lorna were both married in St Andrew’s.
I am a keen outdoor bowler and have missed it tremendously during the pandemic. Hopefully 2022 may see somethings back to normal!!
My gran played a big part in my church life. From a very early age my sisters and I attended church, Sunday School and Bible Class. I will always remember the morning I received the letter from the St Andrew’s Church inviting me “to give much careful and prayerful consideration to become an elder”. I felt honoured to accept. I continue to be involved and committed to the work of the church. It is always there for me.
John Chapman- IT Expert & Audio-Vision Team Member
I was born in Insch but have lived in Inverurie all my life. I was educated at Market Place Primary School and then Inverurie Academy.
After leaving school I worked for BT as an engineer, serving Inverurie and area furthering my education at Technical Colleges and at Queen Mary College, University of London, finishing my time at BT as an IT Project Manager and Programmer after 35 years.
St Andrew’s is part of my present work. I have a long history with the church having been baptised, attended Sunday School and married within St Andrew’s. Both my children attended Sunday School and were choir members. I was Fabric Convener for a temporary period (when I was asked to help out) and I am currently assisting, as a volunteer, with the upkeep and running of the audio visual equipment.
I am employed by Craig & Beverly, Funeral Directors in Inverurie.
Hilda Christie-Elder
I was born in Insch Hospital, the eldest of three, having a younger brother and sister. My primary schools were Keig and Tullynessle before attending Inverurie Academy. From there I went to Aberdeen University followed by a year at Teacher Training College. I taught Geography at The Gordon Schools, Huntly from 1970 until Amy, my daughter, arrived in 1978. Brian and I met in 1969, were married in 1972 and set up our first home in North Street. We came to St Andrew’s at that time too. My church life began at age 4, attending Sunday School at Keig, and I have been involved ever since. I have served as an Elder since 1993 and was part of the “Time Out” team until recently.
When Amy started school I returned to the Supply Teacher List. During that time I also worked to gain a qualification in Additional Support Needs, specializing in Dyslexia, which I found fascinating and worked in that field until I retired in 2007 to be with Brian until his death in 2018.
My daughter Amy, son-in-law Simon and granddaughter Ava are a great delight to me. I like to keep fit, enjoying golf, yoga, walking and dance classes.
My faith has kept me strong to see me though good and difficult times as has the “church family” here.
Charles Clark-Elder
I am Charles Clark and am honoured to serve as an elder at
St Andrew’s Church in Inverurie. I was brought up in Whitehills, near Banff, and I went to the fishing after leaving school for about 12 years. This took me around the East and West coast of Scotland, a job which I looked on as a way of life. I had to change my career due to a genetic eye condition leaving me blind.
I am married to Yvonne who recently became an Elder at St Andrew’s and we have stayed in Inverurie for over 25 years. I have had the pleasure of 4 guide dogs and my current working dog is a 6 year old black Labrador called Marshall.
I have been blessed to work for a local charity for over 27 years, helping people with sight loss to gain independence by using technology. I am retiring from this role at the end of the year. I am able to receive God’s word through audio versions of the Bible and gain a huge pleasure in reading “Every day with Jesus” from the Torch Trust. I have also been blessed in my journey with Jesus to meet so many wonderful folk and would be delighted to spread this Good News to others.
Yvonne Clark-Elder
I was born and brought up in Portsoy. I went to Portsoy Primary School and then to Banff Academy. I left school at 17 year old with not a lot of education as I had not paid attention!! I had all different kinds of jobs until I found what I wanted to do, and that was in the caring profession.
I met my husband Charles, who is also an elder in St Andrew’s, in 1983, and we were married in 1986. We moved to Inverurie 25 years ago. I worked in residential care then moved on to work in the community which I prefer.
I have enjoyed worshipping in St Andrew’s Church for the last 7 years and learning more and more about God and Jesus. The more I have learned, the more I have enjoyed the experience.
It has been an honour to be asked to become an elder serving this church and I hope that I will do a good job. If I make mistakes, then I will learn from them.
My hobbies are watching TV, going for walks with our dog Marshall, who is a black Labrador and is a faithful friend. I look forward to meeting and getting to know more of you in the future.
Molly Conn-Elder, Social Convener
I was born in Aberdeen and brought up with my parents and big sister, Margaret, in a croft outside Rhynie. There was always music in our house: my parents had a dance band so I was brought up with a love and appreciation of music. From an early age I was involved with Rhynie Church and enjoyed singing at the various concerts and other kirk events. I trained as a Dental Nurse at College in Aberdeen. For many years I was a member of the team at the Medical / Dental Suite at Inverurie Academy and my final working years were spent in the Dental General Anaesthetic Theatre at the newly built Aberdeen Children’s Hospital.
As mentioned, music has always been a huge part of my life, and, as I grew older, I ran my own dance band for 10 years (the Molly Shand Dance Band), and I also played the piano with other groups and bands. I have one daughter, Alison, and one granddaughter, Danielle, who both live in Inverurie.
I became an Elder in St Andrew’s Church in 2016 (having previously been a Board Member) and have been Convenor of the Social Committee for many years. I have made many good friends through my kirk activities and the church played a major part in helping me cope with my husband Morris’s death. I feel the church is my other family.
Tom Craggs-Treasurer, Interim Property Convener
Born and brought up in a wee coal exporting and fishing village (Amble, Northumberland) in the last century, I qualified as a Quantity Surveyor in 1968 moving on in 1976 to join Royal Dutch Shell, retiring as a Commercial and Project Services Manager in 2007 having worked in a number of different and diverse countries and cultures.
53 years married with two daughters (both marriage ceremonies conducted by Reverend Sheila) and five grandchildren who were all baptised by Reverend Sheila. 2022, sees the eldest granddaughter entering marriage in a service conducted by Reverend Sheila.
I offered to help St. Andrew’s sort out its financial woes in 2018 and still here within the St. Andrew’s “family”. By invitation of St. Andrew’s I’ll be here until mid 2024 spanning the next challenge(s) of becoming part of the North East and Northern Isles Presbytery which takes effect on 1 January 2023.
Sarah Davidson-Elder
I have been involved with St Andrews Church in one manner or another all my life. I was born in 1974 and christened in St Andrews Church 3 weeks later. As a child, I attended Sunday School and then joined the Church when I was 17.
One of my earliest memories was visiting some of the congregation with Dad on his elder visits and Mum going the young wives group. I trained as a Physiotherapist at Robert Gordon University and then moved down to Perth to work for a number of years.
Marcus and I married in 1999 in St Andrews Church, and returned back to Inverurie in 2002 due to Marcus’s work. Since then I am fortunate to work at the local hospital where I lead the Community Physiotherapy Team.
We are blessed to have 2 boys, Callum and Dylan, both of whom have been christened in St Andrews Church. I was honoured to be invited to become an elder a few years ago and I hope I can serve the Church as well as its served me and my family.
Ralph Green-Elder
I was born in Edinburgh in 1946 and brought up near Oldmeldrum until I was 8 when my family moved to Dalkeith. We returned to Port Elphinstone when I was 12 and have lived in Inverurie ever since.
I attended Sunday School at St Andrew’s when the Rev Douglas Lister was minister. Jenny and I were married there in 1970 by the Rev. James Davidson and our two children (Ralph and Jill) were also christened by him. They both attended Sunday School and Jenny was a long time Sunday School teacher. Jill and her husband, Stuart, were married by the Rev. Iain Telfer and our five grandchildren were all christened at St Andrew’s by the Rev Iain Telfer and the Rev Graeme Longmuir.
I was involved with 1st Inverurie Boys’ Brigade from the late 70s to the mid 80s, most of that time as an Officer in charge of the Junior Section when there were about 30/35 boys attending. I became a Board member in the early 80’s and was Convener of the major kitchen and toilet refurbishment almost 30 years ago. When I retired in 2006 I served as Session Clerk from then till 2011, and I am currently the Communion Elder and a member of the Finance Committee.
St Andrew’s, for many years, has been a very important part of my life and will continue to be. Nowadays I enjoy debate and discussions around the Session table. I also carry out tidying duties around the Church grounds and recently took over “the keeper of the front door tubs” role from Moira Keith!!!
Sandra Hepburn-Elder
I was born and brought up in Turriff. St Ninian’s Church in Turriff played a huge part of my growing up, attending Sunday School and Bible Class and eventually becoming a Sunday School teacher and a member of the Choir. I was Brown Owl of the local Brownie Pack. On leaving school I was employed by the Police Board as a clerical assistant within their office in Turriff.
On my marriage to Norman at St Ninian’s Church, our first home was near Ellon and I travelled to work with Aberdeen City Council at St Nicholas House. We moved to Inverurie and our family of two daughters, Lyndsay and Louise, were born. They both attended Sunday School and Bible Class, and I again became a Sunday School teacher under the leadership of the lovely Jim Morrison. Both daughters are married and live in Inverurie and we have two lovely grandsons Miles and Zack. I was one of the founder members of the Church’s St Andrew’s Club.
After a gap of 14 years I returned to work in the office of a local motor vehicle business, then moving to Gordon District Council (now Aberdeenshire Council) at Gordon House, and retiring after 20 years within the Admin and Legal Department.
I am a very keen bowler at the Garioch Indoor Bowling Club, and I enjoy walking and gardening. My faith and the Church still play a huge part in my life and I was very honoured to be ordained as an Elder in 1999. I enjoy helping at many of the social events and before Covid I was on the Church’s taxi rota.
Suzanne Irvine-Time Out Leader
I am Suzanne, your new Sunday Club/ Time Out leader. I am married to Carl (our minister) and have four children.
I work as a Primary School Teacher in Aberdeenshire.
I don’t have much spare time but when I do grab a moment, I love to catch up with family and friends. Walks in the fresh air, reading my Kindle and watching football are my other pleasures.
I look forward to helping our Church flourish and grow, and know that, with your support, it will be done.
Moira Keith-Elder
Our family, David, Marion, Howard, Sheila and I moved to Inverurie in 1975, and after visiting local churches we decided to join St Andrew’s. It reminded my husband, David, and I of the church we attended from when we were 5 years old. I became a Sunday School teacher, a member of the choir and Guide Captain.
Later I was invited to become a Board member and at the first meeting I attended I was asked to be the Flower Convener and was in that position for 30 years. When Margaret Davidson retired from the Guild I became President. St Andrew’s was raising funds for a new kitchen and we had soups and sweets, flower festivals and various fundraising events—quite hard work but we did have fun.
I decided to open a flower shop and found it was difficult to get to Guild meetings so I resigned as President but have happy memories, especially of our Christmas lunches. I am a member of the Church choir which I joined when Miss Currie was the leader. I was always pleased to help David, my husband, who was Clerk to the Board for many years with various jobs he undertook in the church.
I am still very much involved with the church and any spare time I may have is spent gardening and keeping up with my three grandchildren. St Andrew’s has been a very large part of my life and I always feel I belong.
Ian Milne-Church Organist & Choir Master
I was born and brought up in Aberdeen and attended Aberdeen Grammar School before attending Edinburgh University where I graduated with a Bachelor of Music Degree. My first teaching post was at Inverurie Academy (1967-71). In 1973 I became a Lecturer in Music at Aberdeen College of Education which became Northern College of Education before merging with Aberdeen University. I did a Master of Music Degree while on the staff there. I retired from the University about 8 years ago, but still do a few days a week part-time.
I also worked extensively in theatre, radio and television (about 35 years with Grampian TV) working with many famous show-biz personalities. A highlight was 5 summers at Candacraig where I was in charge of music for Billy Connolly and met people like Steve Martin, Robin Williams and Sean Connery and his wife.
Pam and I have 3 children Richard, David and Shonagh, and we live in the High Street just about 150 yards from St Andrew’s Church.
Peter Milne- Fabric and Audio-Visual Team Member
I was born in Aberdeen and grew up near Westhill when it was a very small village in the country. I attended Westhill Primary School when there were only 12 kids in the entire school, then Cults Academy. I moved to Inverurie in 1979 and married Rosie in St Andrew’s Church. I have been involved with the church ever since. I went along to help with the Boys’ Brigade when our boys Iain and David were there in the 1990s and retired as Captain 20 years later.
I have a passion for all things technical and worked as an engineer for BT for over 30 years, then with laser guided robotic milking machines. I gave that up in 2017 to become a self-employed Classic Car Engineer, something I have done as a hobby most of my life. We still spend a lot of time involved with various classic car events.
I am currently involved in developing the audio-visual and livestream equipment in the church along with John Chapman, and various technical matters with the fabric team.
Rosie Milne-Session Clerk
I was born at 10 St. Andrew’s Gardens, houses for the war disabled
and at that time the church owned the land. The then minister,
Rev Black, christened me the St. Andrew’s baby so I really can say my entire life has revolved around St. Andrew’s Church.
My faith has seen me through many crises and I’m very thankful to still be here. I went to Market Place School and then Inverurie Academy. I have always worked with children and adults being one of the first leaders at Inverurie Community Centre. I taught music privately until I got a Music Lecturing job at Aberdeen College, specialising in working with young adults with learning difficulties. I also play with the Garioch Fiddlers and am 1st. flute with Inverurie
Orchestra.
I have been married to Peter for over 40 years and our passion is classic cars and have been on many adventures in our car over the years. Another story in itself! We have two sons, Iain who is a tenor opera singer with Zurich Opera House and David who is the head
technician of the Music Hall in Aberdeen. I am honoured to have been asked to be session clerk and will do my best to fulfil the post.
Agnieszka Myszkowska-Church Cleaner
I was born in Torun, a beautiful town in Poland. My town is famous for gingerbread and is the birthplace of Nicolaus Copernicus. I finished my education in Poland and when I moved to Scotland I attended College to improve my skills and English. I live in Aberdeenshire with my 2 beautiful daughters, my older son has moved back to Poland. My youngest daughter has just started Kemnay Academy and my oldest daughter will soon finish at Inverurie Academy.
We love to catch up with friends, go for walks and play board games. I enjoy playing tennis and krafmanga in my spare time. It is so nice to be a part of the core team at St Andrew’s Church. I’ve enjoyed working in the church this last 5 years. I am very fortunate and grateful to have met so many fantastic people.
Eileen Robertson-Flower Convener
I was born in Ellon and grew up in Methlick. One of seven, 5 sisters and 2 brothers. I went to Methlick School and left at 15. My first job was as an apprentice seamstress at Scott the Kiltmaker. After a year I went to Aberdeen College of Commerce and studied for O levels and Highers and embarked on a new career as an Assistant Scientific Officer in The Vet Labs at Craibstone.
I met Alan my husband at Oldmeldrum Sports when I was 16. We got engaged a year later and then married 2 years after that in Methlick Church. We bought our first house in Ellon where Alan worked as a Quantity Surveyor.
Our three children Martin, Nicky, and Janelle were all born when we lived in Ellon and when Janelle was still a baby we sold our house in Ellon and bought a Flower Shop in Inverurie. Not knowing a thing about flowers or floristry it was in at the deep end for me – but it paid off as I ended up absolutely loving being a florist. I gradually trained and gained my NDSF (National Diploma of the Society of Floristry) at Nottingham University. I decided to retire after 29 years.
Our 3 kids are all married: Martin lives in Edinburgh, Nicky lives in Inverurie and Janelle lives in Barcelona. We have been blessed with 8 grandchildren – 4 boys and 4 girls. Alan and I celebrated our Golden Wedding in August last year.
The church has always been part of my life. I attended Sunday School at Methlick
and I joined the church prior to being married there. I have been a member of St
Andrew’s since we moved here about 45 years ago. I am a member of the choir and I have been Flower Convener since 2015.
Elaine Roebuck-Volunteer
I was born in Huntly and have lived in Inverurie most of my life. When I left school I was employed by the Clydesdale Bank in Inverurie. I also worked in St Nicholas and Castle Street branches in Aberdeen and in Rothienorman.
St Andrew’s has always been part of my life. I was christened there by Rev Inglis Black. I went to Sunday School, Bible Class and later became a member of St Andrew’s. Ian and I were married there by Rev James Davidson and our sons, Ian and Barry were also christened by him. Ian lives in Houston and Barry lives in Peebles. I have been blessed with 3 granddaughters and 1 grandson who all live in Houston, but FaceTime is wonderful.
I enjoy gardening, yoga and walking and also help at Computers and Integration behind William Lippe’s Office in St James’s Place. I enjoy helping out at St Andrew’s by doing the teas on a Sunday, delivering the Church magazines and I am a member of the Finance Committee.
Alastair Smith-Elder and WFO Treasurer
I was brought up in a country village in Moray where I went to school and then I started work with the Hydro Board (now SSE). In 1969, Ann and I moved to Wick, again with SSE, where our twin daughters were born. In 1972 we moved to Inverurie where I started to work for Cruickshanks and we are still here (except for a spell in Old Rayne).
I am a keen sport and health enthusiast, being a walker and “golfer” (well trying), and being lucky enough to enjoy good health. I have been involved in the Church wherever we’ve been, from Sunday School to Elder and nearly everything in between, supported in faith by my parents and Ann.
We joined St Andrew’s in 1972 and have remained ever since, apart from 3 years in Rayne. It was a surprise when in 1973 I was asked to become an Elder, which I accepted. As an Elder I have served in most roles and continue to try my best to encourage support for the Kirk.
Although loyal to St Andrew’s, I enjoy discussing faith with other Churches and indeed other faiths. In 1975, I was a founder Officer of the 1 st. Inverurie Boys’ Brigade and am still involved now in a supporting role – 70 years since I joined as a wee boy in Elgin.
Linsey Stewart-Church Administrator, Lettings Convener
I was born and brought up in Aberdeen and attended the local schools. I previously worked for many years in the oil industry before taking up the position of Administrator at St Andrew’s Church in August 2019.
I am also very involved in supporting my husband Scott in the day to day running of his business. We now live in Chapel of Garioch together with our son Daniel, 18 years, and daughter Rachel, 14 years, who both attend Inverurie Academy. Daniel plans to go on to study Physics later this year.
Any spare time is spent renovating our house, which has turned out to be a mammoth task, and walking Lottie the Cockapoo around Bennachie.
Mo Vernal-Elder
I was born and brought up in a farm at Coull, near Aboyne, and regularly attended Sunday School and Church. My early education was at the small single teacher school in Coull, followed by four years at Aboyne Junior Secondary, two years at Aberdeen High School for Girls and then three years at Aberdeen Teacher Training College. I began my teaching career at Boddam, Peterhead, and over the years I taught at Tipperty School, Newburgh Mathers, Banchory Primary, was Depute Head at Meldrum Primary and finally Head Teacher at Finzean.
Following my retirement when we moved to Inverurie, I did a spell of supply teaching in this area. I have 2 daughters, a step daughter and step son and their respective husbands and wife, 4 grandchildren, and 4 step grandchildren, but in effect, along with my husband, Hamish, we are just one big happy family!
My faith has always been really important to me and has given me strength through many difficult times in my life. God has always been by my side, and when I was invited to become an elder at St. Andrew’s a number of years ago I was greatly honoured and have tried to devote my time and talents to this wonderful ‘ Church Family.’